African Soft Fur Rats

[gsarchie]

So what is the hype surrounding these animals? Also, do they get as big as a normal rat? Any insight from someone who breeds/feeds ASFs would be appreciated. Thanks!

[RobNJ]

The "hype" surrounding ASF's is blown way out of proportion, IMO. They get about 1 1/2 to 2 times the size of mice...still far, far smaller than rats. The ONLY seeming advantage that I have noticed is that it seems to me that it is much easier to get a hard core mouser to feed on ASF's than rats...still does not make it any easier to get snakes switched over to rats.

"ASF's are like crack to bp's", "picky snakes will feed better on ASF's", "try an ASF to break a hunger strike" are all things I find to be founded in myth and rumor. As far as affecting the snake's rate of growth, I think that mice, ASF's, and rats are all more or less equal if being fed in equal proportions.

I breed and feed mice, rats, and ASF's, and this is just what I believe to be the case. You'll get a wide variety of responses though.

[Don]

They do not get as big as a normal Norway rat. They never out grow a BP for food. ASFs do well in colonies and you do not need to separate males out of the colony when weaning babies. They have less odor than regular rats, but do have an odor. They have more babies per litter than Norways, however they grow much slower than regular rats - which can be good if you have a bunch of BP babies or bad if you are trying to feed BP adults. They are not legal in every state. They are prolific chewers and escape artist.

Some people claim that they are crack cocaine to BPs, however, I've not experienced a Ball Python that refuses anything but ASFs - but it is possible. My BPs will eat ASFs and when not eating those, regular rats.

[gsarchie]

Excellent, I won't worry about trying to pick any up then. I found a breeder in my town that sells them but from what was described they are not what I am wanting for feeders. Thanks!